1st Signal Brigade (United Kingdom) explained

Unit Name:1st Signal Group
1st Signal Brigade
1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade
Country: United Kingdom
Type:Signals
Role:Communications brigade
Dates:1968—1987
1995—Present
Command Structure:Allied Rapid Reaction Corps
Size:Brigade
Garrison:Imjin Barracks, Innsworth, UK
formerly Rhine Garrison, Germany
Battles:Bosnian War
Current Commander:Brigadier Phillip R. D. Muir

The 1st Signal Brigade, formerly known as the 1st Signal Group, is a brigade of the British Army. The group was first formed in 1968 as a result of the 1966 Defence White Paper which expanded support for NATO and the British Army of the Rhine. In 1987, the group was disbanded and merged into the 2nd Signal Brigade. In 1995, the brigade was reformed and has since deployed on operations across the globe in support of NATO and HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

History

First Formation

On 1 April 1968, as a result of the 1966 Defence White Paper, 1st Signal Group (Strategic Communications (STRATCO)) was formed at Erskine Barracks, Wilton. The new formation was formed to command those UK-based signal units earmarked for NATO reinforcement and 'Out of Area' operations.[1] The Group was also known as Headquarters, Army Strategic Command (Signals).[2] Under this command, the group was tasked with providing communications for the 5th Division and other Army Groups with no signals support.

After formation, the group commanded the following units:

Following the 1975 Mason Review, the group was reorganised so that it oversaw all oversees signal units, leaving the UKLF support role to the 2nd Signal Brigade. The group was therefore reorganised into the following organisation:

In 1979, the group HQ was moved to Tidworth in accordance with the reforms of the 1975 Mason Review. In 1980, the Commandant of the Royal Corps of Signals made a visit to Blandford where he announced possible changes to the group and the overall signal group. As part of this announcement, the master of signals announced 1 Signal Group's role would change, and be able to help with the "Rhodesian Situation".[12] The group was later involved in this when it supported the communications for a smooth independence movement.[13]

In 1982, the group was re-titled with accordance with the 1981 Defence White Paper [The Way Forward], to become the 1st Signal Brigade. In addition to the name changes, the brigade also gained command of 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) at RAF Brize Norton.[14] In 1987, the group was disbanded and merged into the larger 2nd Signal Brigade.

Reformation

Following the Dissolution of Yugoslavia, increasing tensions in the region lead to a United Nations peacekeeping operation known throughout NATO as Operation Resolute, later the Implementation Force (IFOR). Under this operation, Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps was deployed, and shortly after headquarters 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade was formed at Rheindahlen Garrison, Germany. The new brigade was tasked specifically with overseeing the units deployed on the operation, and later those supporting HQ ARRC. In December 1995 the brigade deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Op Resolute. Brigade strength was 1,900 troops and 50% of the HQ Staff of 25 were mobilised Reserves or TA soldiers.

The brigade's organisation on formation remained the same till 2013 following Army 2020:[15] [16] [17]

Under the Defence in a Competitive Age programme and subsequent Future Soldier, the brigade will leave 6 (UK) Division and be directly subordinated to HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.[19] This move was completed by September 2021, joining 104th Logistic Support Brigade.[20]

Current organisation

The brigade's current organisation, as of October 2021, is as follows:

Commanders

The following have commanded 1st Signal Brigade since its inception as a separate command:[32]

1st Signal Brigade

1st (UK) Signal Brigade

References

Notes and References

  1. Lord & Watson, pp. 127–128.
  2. Web site: The Wire. 1969. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  3. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 14 Regiment. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  4. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 30 Regiment. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  5. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 220 to 223 Squadrons. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  6. Lord & Watson, p. 120.
  7. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 216 Squadron. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  8. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 246 to 249 Squadrons. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  9. Web site: British Army units from 1945 on - 254 to 256 Squadrons. 2021-05-02. british-army-units1945on.co.uk.
  10. Lord & Watson, p. 124.
  11. Lord & Watson, p. 125.
  12. Web site: The Wire. 1980 . Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  13. Web site: The Wire. 1981 . Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  14. Web site: The Wire. 1982 . Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  15. Web site: 2010-09-22. 1 Signal Brigade - British Army Website. 2021-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20100922194734/http://army.mod.uk/signals/organisation/9399.aspx. 22 September 2010.
  16. Web site: 2007-12-27. 1 Signal Brigade - Headquarters. 2021-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20071227181445/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/1sigbde/1signalbrigadeheadquarters.htm. 27 December 2007.
  17. Web site: 2007-12-27. 1 Signal Brigade - Units. 2021-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20071227181516/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/1sigbde/units.htm. 27 December 2007.
  18. Web site: 2007-12-27. 1 Signal Brigade - Headquarters. 2021-03-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20071227181445/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/1sigbde/1signalbrigadeheadquarters.htm. 27 December 2007.
  19. British Army, August 2021 Soldier Magazine. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  20. Web site: 6th (United Kingdom) Division. 2021-09-30. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  21. Web site: 1st Signal Brigade. 2021-05-02. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  22. Web site: 1st Signal Brigade. 2021-02-19. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  23. Web site: Royal Corps of Signals. 2021-02-19. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  24. News: . 4 June 2020. Armed Forces announce launch of first Cyber Regiment in major modernisation. British Ministry of Defence. 4 June 2020.
  25. News: . 4 June 2020. Soldier Magazine June 2020 Signal Regiment's new pulse page 44. Soldier Magazine. 5 June 2020.
  26. Web site: 22 November 2018. Army, Question for Ministry of Defence — current Order of Battle by manpower and basing locations for the corps.. live. 20 February 2021. United Kingdom Parliament — Written questions, answers, and statements. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915161827/https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616 . 15 September 2020 .
  27. Web site: 6 September 2019. 1st Signal Brigade. 6 September 2019. army.mod.uk. British Army.
  28. Web site: 14 May 2021. Freedom of Information (Act) request regarding Support Pairings. 10 December 2021. What do they know?.
  29. Web site: ARRC Support Battalion. 2021-02-11. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
  30. Web site: Bray House - Winchester - Worthy Down - British Army Jobs. 2019-11-04. apply.army.mod.uk.
  31. Web site: 6 October 2017. The Military Police Unit With A Very Particular Set Of Skills. 2020-12-12. Forces Network. en.
  32. Web site: Senior Army Appointments. https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf . dead . 5 July 2015 . 13 October 2019.
  33. Web site: 1971. The Wire. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  34. Web site: 1973. The Wire. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  35. Web site: 1976. The Wire. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  36. Web site: The Wire. 1977 . Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.
  37. Web site: The Wire. 1979 . Royal Corps of Signals Association. 17 September 2019.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "1st Signal Brigade (United Kingdom)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.